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dated September 14, 1956: Users' body for Suez Canal

The British Prime Minister, Sir Anthony Eden, told the House of Commons on September 12 that Britain, France and the US were setting up a "Users' Association" which would undertake responsibility for traffic through the Suez Canal. He said that if the Egyptian Government interfered or refused to co-operate with the Association it would be guilty of a breach of the 1888 Convention which guarantees free passage of shipping through the waterway, nationalised by President Nasser of Egypt seven weeks ago. Sir Anthony described the Association as a provisional organisation which would prepare the way for a permanent system to be established with the full agreement of all interested parties. It would collect canal dues, employ pilots and be responsible for co-ordinating traffic. Egypt would be paid for use of its facilities. Referring to the military preparations, Sir Anthony said Britain would work for a peaceful solution as long as there appeared to be a prospect of one. "But the Government is not prepared to embark on a policy of abject appeasement." He said there was no intention of referring the dispute at this point to the UN though the Security Council President had been noticed of the situation.

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